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(No Model.)

J. BROWER. ADJUSTABLE GRATE FOR STOVBS AND RANGES. No. 271,214. Patented Jan.30,1883.-

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UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

JOHN BROWER, OF WOODLAND, CALIFORNIA.

ADJUSTABLE GRATE FOR STOVES AND RANGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 271,214, dated January 30, 1883,

Application filed November 9, 188:2. (N0 model.) 7

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BROWER, of Woodland, Yolo county, State of California, have invented an Improved Adjustable Grate for Stoves and Ranges; and'I do hereby declare that the following is a fullyclear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to an improved arrangement for mounting an adjustable grate in the furnace of a stove or range, so that its distance from the top of the stove can be regulated either automatically by the weight of the fuel resting upon it or by hand, as desired. The object of this adjustment is to save fuel by elevating the grate as the fuel burns down, so as to keep the live coals close up to the top of the stove, and thereby utilize a greater'portion of the heat than if the grate were sta tionary or depended entirely on hand-adjustment;

Referring to the accompanying drawing, the figure represents a vertical central longitudinal section.

Let A represent a cooking stove or range of any form, style, or pattern. Underneath this stove or range I mount a horizontal bar, B, by hinging it at or near its middle to the end of an upright fulcrum-bar, O, which can either be secured to the floor or it can be attached to and depend from the bottom of the stove or range. One end of this bar terminates directly under the furnace, while the other end.

projects to a short distance beyond the stove or range at its opposite end.

The grate D, I make somewhat smaller than the fire-place or furnace, so that it can rise and fall freely in it. I then connect its middle with the end' of the bar B by means of an upright connecting bar or rod, E. The upper end of the rod I secure firmly to the middle of the grate by a nut above and another below, so as to bind the grate between the two nuts while the lower end of the rod is hinged to the end of the bar B.

Upon the end of the bar B, opposite the grate, I place a sliding weight, F, which can be shifted toward or from the fulcrum, as desired, to counterbalance the weight of fuel on the grate, and cause the grate to rise as the weight of the fuel diminishes by combustion.

To the outer end of the bar B, which projects from under the stove, I hinge or joint the lower endof an upright lift-bar, G, the upper end of which extends up to near the top of the stove and passes through a slot in a plate, H, which projects out from the stove. This bar has notches or teeth on it, so that it can be raised or lowered by hand and fixed in place by catching one of the notches or teeth over the edge of the plate, and thus give a fixed adjustment of the grate. For convenience, I form a handle, I, on the upper end of this rod.

If the stove or range has no partition between the grate and bottom of the stove, I se cure a horizontal cross-bar, J, across the ashpit below the grate, through which the upright rod E passes, so that this rod will pass through both the cross-bar and the bottom of the stove, thus holding the grate steady and keeping it from tipping. On this rod below the ash-pit I secure a cup, Y, to catch what ashes sift through the hole in the bottom of the stove and keep them from falling on the floor. Now, when fuel is placed upon the grate, the position of the grate can either be permanently adjusted by means of the bar G, so as to retain the grate in a fixed position with relation to the top' of the stove, or the bar G may be detached and the weight F adjusted on the horizontal bar B, so as to counterbalance the weight of the fuel. In the latter case the grate will automatically adjust itself as the fuel is consumed, because as the weight upon the grate decreases the counterweight will raise the grate,and thus keep the burning coals close up against the top of the stove, thus utilizing a greater amount of heat and saving materially in the quantity of fuel required. This arrangement can easily be applied to old stoves and ranges, as well as to new ones.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

The stove or range A, having the horizontal bar B, supported underneath it upon a fulcrum-bar, O, and having the adjustable grate D, supported upon one end of the bar B, while the opposite end of the bar has a sliding weight, I arranged to move upon it, said opposite end being also provided with a lifting-bar, G, having teeth or notches arranged to engage with a plate, H, substantially as above described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

JOHN BROWER. [L. s.] Witnesses:

J. G. WRIGHT, 0.13. GRIswoLD. 

